Sunday, 28 December 2008

In Goa; the so called State of the States, we are aware of so many serious wrong doings in our respective areas; by specific politicians at state/municipal/panchayat level, specific mine owners, many mega-project builders & worse still, even few corrupt religious leaders, who abuse their highly respected positions & trust of their people, for selfish interests; and many of us blindly follow these specific religious leaders. The weakest people in the society are often the most exploited & suppressed, by such wrong doings.

But I think that the even bigger tragedy is that there are still so many Goans (both in Goa & Outside) who appear cold & unconcerned. One key reason is selfishness with the “perceived comfort” that the issues don’t affect them but these very people would surely act, if they themselves were threatened and would then expect others to support or sympathise with them!! The other reason is that many are handcuffed by their own illegalities, corruption, greed, vested interests & links with specific corrupt politicians.

Also, there are some Overseas Goans who are doing wonders for Goa, but there are many others who just have “an elated sense of a higher status” with their foreign countries citizenship/residence; they have forgotten about “where they came from” and the land of their birth/ancestors; surely they can give back something to help realize Goa’s true potential with their Global Best Practices, ideas, experiences, skills etc; and perhaps enable Goa to have much better living standards than in their overseas/adopted countries. To quote Norman Cousins “The Tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we live”

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

People's participation in the Regional Plan 2021, is its most important aspect. Though some doubt implementation, this should not discourage us from taking the first step & participating; to quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step"

The Plan has tremendous opportunities for us to guide our destiny, economy, constructive development & identity. While each village/town has its respective input; I ask also to incorporate Goa's bigger picture i.e. (1) Protect and Restore(where damaged); Goa's delicate ecology & environment (2) World Class Transportation (3) Professional waste management & sewage system, which also isolates & decontaminates toxic wastes (4) Increase Forest area (5) Air/Water/Land Pollution (6) World Class public parks in each towns/cities (7) Challenge projected population increase; to address & address the demographic challenge i.e. Goans must be in majority (8) Water/Electricity (9) Safeguard & ensure implementation, of the agreed plan (10) Professional Employment Policy with solutions to offer Goans, jobs at high/sustainable pay scales; and reduce outward Goan migration (11) Professional Health Policy & Facilities (12) Professional Educational facilities (13) Increase agricultural focus & possible revision, of aspects of tenancy act, restricting agriculture (14) As Special status is still to be achieved, Land Banks can be created to offer land; ONLY on fixed time frame lease but reasonable rents to Goans; so that it cannot be re-sold particularly to outsiders (15) Professional Policy on Tourism; which also will be significantly enhanced, by all the latter/above points mentioned.

"Susegad" Goans have an opportunity, not only to have World Class state but also to show an example, for rest of India, to follow .i.e. By First being better Goans & taking care of our state/identity; we can be even better Indians!!

Landlords defend SALE of Goa to the highest bidder; non-goans in particular. My criticism is not for Landlords who will not Sell Goa; no matter the price. It also is not to Goans, who have not gone into real estate; to sell same at a higher rate to outsiders. Many Outsiders & politicians with illegitimate wealth, invest in Goa's Properties; should Goans suffer because they generally, don't have this illegitimate wealth?Capitalist excuse does not hold; as Capitalism does not take precedence over the interests of the society? Landlords ignore that there is a civilized Global understanding on the latter. For instance, why are there Government controls on basic food essentials; what if these were at the mercy of capitalism?Business deals should have social responsibilities. If any action affects the society, then it has to be stopped. If Landlords have a right to sell land, so do people in the society have the right of priority; to live in decent clean, disease free environment with stable infrastructure, reduced contamination levels, sense of identity, maintaining livelihoods, safety etcToday, Goa has significant problems resulting from Non-Goan land sales, Mega projects favouring outsiders, un-necessary constructions etc. If the Society suffers, then the so called rights of these specific Capitalistic Anti-Goan Landlords are not valid. Arguments for protection of their land should be addressed, to ensure Landlords rights are protected, but the arguments should not be an excuse to SELL GOA.Each community has limits to non-local land sales; to safeguard its identity. Unlike other states, Tolerant Goa has way crossed the limit & now needs safeguards. The current land sales rate will make Goans irrelevant & no community will accept the same, for themselves. Let's focus on what's right for Goa; not what is Legal for Goa.Arwin Mesquita, UAE

Landlords defend SALE of Goa to the highest bidder; non-goans in particular. My criticism is not for Landlords who will not Sell Goa; no matter the price. It also is not to Goans, who have not gone into real estate; to sell same at a higher rate to outsiders. Many Outsiders & politicians with illegitimate wealth, invest in Goa's Properties; should Goans suffer because they generally, don't have this illegitimate wealth?Capitalist excuse does not hold; as Capitalism does not take precedence over the interests of the society? Landlords ignore that there is a civilized Global understanding on the latter. For instance, why are there Government controls on basic food essentials; what if these were at the mercy of capitalism?Business deals should have social responsibilities. If any action affects the society, then it has to be stopped. If Landlords have a right to sell land, so do people in the society have the right of priority; to live in decent clean, disease free environment with stable infrastructure, reduced contamination levels, sense of identity, maintaining livelihoods, safety etc Today, Goa has significant problems resulting from Non-Goan land sales, Mega projects favouring outsiders, un-necessary constructions etc. If the Society suffers, then the so called rights of these specific Capitalistic Anti-Goan Landlords are not valid. Arguments for protection of their land should be addressed, to ensure Landlords rights are protected, but the arguments should not be an excuse to SELL GOA.Each community has limits to non-local land sales; to safeguard its identity. Unlike other states, Tolerant Goa has way crossed the limit & now needs safeguards. The current land sales rate will make Goans irrelevant & no community will accept the same, for themselves. Let's focus on what's right for Goa; not what is Legal for Goa.Arwin Mesquita, UAE.